Thursday, 28 July 2011

Guys....signed the lease today. I'm ecssstaaaaatic and so excited to have my own place to work whatever wonders (or horrors) my little interior designing heart desires! The place is seriously small (like....my bedroom in my current place is larger than the whole living area in my future place) but I think with some creative storage solutions it will all work out. I've already started downsizing that stuff that you keep cuz you have space for it but don't necessarily use it..ever....so proud :)

Brace yourself, this is a mostly selfish post in which I basically write notes to myself of why these photos would inspire something I should do at my place. Sorrrriiiieeeeez! Maybe you'll get something out of it too?

Kitchen Area:

I have a tiny section of open shelving. I want to keep them simple, just my plain white dishes and other kitchen things that are pretty enough to see everyday, and put the rest of the stuff in pretty containers, mixing in artwork, etc.

Another great example.

My stove doesn't have a backsplash...which yes, I know are traditionally for sinks but I think that cooking stuff splatters lots and there's never a bad time to pretty up a plain area :)

Storage is limited so pens/pencils/etc can be stored in pretty tins to the fridge with magnets.

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Kitchen cabinets are pretty plain. I think I could make them look a little more tailored by adding some pretty tape, like here (although this is probably paint)

Another example.

Between the kitchen and living area I want to put a dresser on legs. Serves as cooktop space (I'd probably get glass cut to protect the top) plus storage for all my art supplies and a visual separation between living and food prep areas.

Shoe rack can be revamped under the window by the bed...add an upholstered top and fabric to hide storage underneath.

Dining Area

I think I'll do a gallery wall-style collection of my artwork on the wall above my desk/kitchen table. I will likely reuse some shelving I already have, then build the gallery around that.

This is my favorite shot from the latest issue of Rue. I like the 3 long shelves.

Mirror in a small space = oldest trick in the book. My place gets a lot of light, but it's nice to bounce it around into the darker corner. Mounting art on a mirror keep it from looking like a funhouse.

Toying with the idea of putting up faux trim on the walls like so. I think it looks so ladylike and tailored.

I also am using my desk/kitchen table as a vanity, so I'll need to put up a mirror. I like how this mirror becomes part of the gallery wall.

Another way to make it less obvious that it's used for..ahem....vanity....is to stencil it with a favorite poem or lyrics. Not all the way across, obviously...

Bathroom:

The bathroom is pretty big, but I already anticipate running out of storage. This idea could keep my less-used toiletries within reach but out of sight to a degree.

I only have one closet, and I have lots of not-so-pretty stuff to hide, like suitcases and camping gear. I might have to fashion one of these dealios to hold my clothes and give up the closet for the uglies. Trying to decide if it's gross to put this in the bathroom?

The tile in the bathroom is yellow and black, so I'd like to make a graphic statement continued in the shower curtain. Plain fabric with black trim might do the trick.

Miscellaneous:

Been dying to try this grey zebra technique out on a lampshade to give it a little subtle zip. This may be the place to do it :)

Might do something with the graphic on the door...tape or ribbon on curtains/Roman shades?

I love the tailored look of pelmets, and this one is cute because it incorporates a meaningful phrase....the dilemma is that my doors and windows all have really pretty molding. Maybe I could do it in the bathroom....hmmmm....

I looooove all the light that my new place gets, but I was there at 7 AM this morning and it was BRIGHT in there....aka I wouldn't get my beauty rest! So I'm trying to figure out a way to cover the windows at night and keep it bright and open during the day. Maybe a roman shade/curtain combo?

I like this photo frame/small bench setup and think it would work nicely by my front door to make a mini entranceway to drop my keys.

Another option is using a bookcase at the entry way.

If I used a bookcase I'd cover the bottom shelf with fabric like so to hide my shoes

Pretty trays will be crucial to keep clutter looking organized and intentional. Trays made of cookie trays may be a budget-friendly solution?

Gotta hang my headboard...All the Fish in the Sea just hung hers with a French Cleat Picture Hanger from Home Depot. Great idea!

Last but not least, I have a tonnnn of photos that I love and no place to store them....why not make it part of my decor?

Well ladies and gents (?), after a long long search I'm 99% sure I've got myself a cute new studio! 99% because I still have a few questions about the lease, but I'm sure it won't be a problem. I meet her in an hour to go over everything and get my keys! :)

Here are some crappy "before" photos I took on my phone...

This is the view from the front door. Doesn't look like much here but I promise it's cute in person!

Stepping into the room a little, here is my kitchen area. Just enough for me! I was sold once I saw the framing around the door and the nice bathroom....so cute!

Here's a view from the bathroom looking where I was just standing. Straight ahead is the closet, which is actually pretty nice for the age of the place. To the right is a window--the place gets great light! :)

Stepping into the main room a little more....here's the entry door. I'm going to put to giant paintings I made on this wall.

View from the closet....now the window I showed you is on the left and the bathroom is straight forward. I'll put my desk against the wall on the right, with a gallery-style art collection. Since the space is small, my desk will function as my vanity, desk, and dining table. Phew!

Bathroom! To the left of the door is the sink and another window. Quick question: Is it gross to take the bathroom door off and replace it with a curtain? If I do that, I gain all the space behind the door where I could put another dresser/storage, but I'm concerned that maybe that's not very sanitary or....ahem....soundproof?

You can see a bit of the sink on the left, toilet on right, shower behind sink. There's a decent amount of space in the bathroom so I plan to put a dresser by that second window and make it a mini dressing room.

Shower is surprisingly big. I love the vintage yellow and black tile!

So there you go kids. My tiny little studio. It will be my first time living completely by myself and I'm so excited!

What do you think? Suggestions for how you'd start sprucing the space up?

Monday, 25 July 2011

Finally getting around to posting the other half of the wedding stuff I've collected over time. Here's what I'd like the reception to look like....very nature/organic-y, flowers that look like watercolors....ideally I'd do the flowers myself and have a very hands-on role in my wedding. Very DIY, of course :)

Personally I'm anti-roses for a wedding...think it's pretty cliche...BUT I like this ombre look here

Colorful, poppy, with gold accents...think how pretty this would look at night! (also, how expensive it was....)

Love this idea to use chalkboard paint on wine bottles....could use the bottle as a vase and write the table number on it

Simple, easy to do, pretty blue accents...sold.

I think these are so cute and can be easily created with stuff on hand

multicolored vases with single stems...collect the vases at thrift stores for a cheap alternative

Little-known fact: I grew up on a farm, and have always loved the outdoors. I'd like to bring some 'outside in' for my wedding and think this would be a great way to do that...plus cheap! We just had trees fall down this summer and my dad owns multiple wood-cutting devices (chainsaws, hack saws, hand saws....)

I'm also really draw to a vintage/antique-y look, and these old wooden boxes fit that bill

Similar idea, but homemade and a little more rustic. I like the wildflower-looking arrangement too, very natural

So many wedding locales have plain ugly event chairs....here's a way to disguise that and work in your wedding colors too :) If you're afraid of color this could be pretty with an all-white table setting and just the flowers and ribbons to add a punch. Or they could be champagne/gold/lace/neutrals and be just as pretty!

Love the simplicity and 1920's flapper-feel of that middle one

More chalkboard paint inspiration. But I wouldn't really do this--you'd get chalk all over your guests' pretty clothes!

Raid your local liquor store for empties...strip the labels and presto! Instant vases!

More rustic/natural inspiration

What do you think? Can you picture all these images as one wildflowery rustic organic-inspired wedding? Do you love it? Hate it? Do tell :)